I don't "plan" on injuries. I get value where I can. There's no value to be had trading for Hunt. They want too much. Sure he COULD be a RB1 IF Chubb goes down, but until that happens there's no difference between Hunt and Gio Bernard. Their value is minimal at best, and Gio is actually guaranteed to be a full workload guy more than Hunt is.
The potential value with Hunt isn't just this year as a hand-cuff to Chubb owners; it's also in that Hunt's on a one year contract that he could turn into a feature role as early as next year.
Let's look at the possibilities for
Hunt, both this year and next:
Best case scenario: Chubb gets hurt before week 10; Hunt steps in as lead back and is RB1 the remainder of the season and into the playoffs. He's tendered in the off-season and another team picks him up as their feature back.
Worst case scenario: Chubb is healthy the entire season and Hunt is only brought in to spell Chubb. Hunt is tendered in the off-season and teams are unwilling to give up the draft capital to acquire him and he stays in Cleveland as a backup.
Most likely scenario: Chubb is healthy the entire season, Hunt begins to acquire a portion of Chubb's workload and we see potential 70/30 split in Chubbs favor. Hunt is tendered in the off-season and we're looking at a 50/50 that he's signed by another team (50/50 because in this scenario as it would depend on teams rosters, injuries, draft capital 9-10 months into the future)
On one hand, you're totally right with the "it can't hurt to ask" mentality. On the other hand, 99% of Hunt owners want way more than he's worth. So you're probably wasting your time and/or irritating the already irritated Hunt owner by not offering enough.
Personally, my strategy is to not even bring the subject up right now. I don't want to get into formal offers because if we revisit later it could be one of those "my offer stands" type of situations. I'd rather just approach them around week 4 when Hunt is just burning a roster spot... or maybe wait until they've got a need (injury or bye week) and then pounce, possibly making it part of a 2-for-2 trade or something of that nature.
Hunt is not a target, so I don't want to give the impression he is. But he is a nice insurance piece. It's like a rich man's version of Montgomery/Davis.
I think FF Ninja' made a lot of good points
1) Hunt owners want way more than he's worth
2) the best approach is probably waiting until weeks 3-4 where Hunt is burning a roster spot and then entering into negotiations
The part I disagree on is that he's only an insurance piece, as I've stated above, due to his one year contract that he's currently playing on and the talent that he's displayed since his rookie year.
That being said; What is the price that you'd pay to acquire him?
If you could pick up Hunt for a future second round pick is that something you're doing?
I think if that's what it would take I'd pull the trigger at that price.